For 24-year-old Ankit his a genetic problem, Hypothyroidism that was playing a spoiler by causing quick weight gain. The young advertising guy didn’t want his weight gain to hamper his personal life and future ambitions. He changed jobs, joined gym and galloped towards permanent weight loss.

Name: Ankit Sachdeva

Age: 27 years

Profession: Businessman

Weight before (July , 2010) : 82 kgs

Weight now (June, 2013): 70kgs

When did you realise that you were over weight? Was it a ‘Happy realisation’ or a medical issue?

It was in 2009-2010, I started putting on weight overnight. No matter whatever I tried, my weight kept on increasing. Then I was working in an advertising agency, I had to sit in front of a computer for most of the time, there were no working hours and no scheduled holidays. Targets and getting business had overshadowed everything in my life. I thought that was the reason for my increased weight. But it was my parents who pointed out that it might be hypothyroidism that both of them suffered from. To my shock I was diagnosed with the same. At the age of 24 I panicked, I didn’t want my weight to puncture my aspirations and confidence. Even my doctor advised me to lose weight.

How did you begin your weight loss? Tell us about the baby steps that you took, like avoiding junk, alcohol or if you started to take a walk after lunch etc.?

As I was working for long hours, joining a gym was impossible. I started jogging in the morning and took my hypothyroidism medicines daily. I started to monitor my eating; I avoided carbs and made a point to walk every day after my dinner for 20-30 minutes. I stopped going out with friends as it always culminated in me drinking alcohol and indulging in junk food. I had to change my whole lifestyle. I even celebrated a New Year’s eve at home.

Tell us about your exercise regime? How difficult was it in the beginning to exercise? What were your biggest concerns?

I had recently shifted to a new job, and managed to join a gym. Initially my coach made me do only cardio as a result of running, I noticed that my face was getting thinner but fat was getting accumulated on my stomach. So then I started lifting weights and started doing some grueling abs and lower body workouts.

Tell us about your diet? What type of changes did you do? Did your family help you or join you in your efforts?

It was very difficult in the beginning. I used to cheat on my diet. I used to work very hard in gym but was not very strict with my diet. I realised that a good workout can only be effective if we support it with a proper diet. After my engagement, I became very conscious of what I was eating. I started by replacing tea with black coffee. I increased my intake of protein by replacing chapatti and rice with boiled chicken breast or boiled dal and morning paranthas with egg whites. I also avoided curd, onions and carbs. All these changes made me grumpy and rude at times. These mood swings was because I had lowered my sugar intake completely.

I had to keep on changing my diet, because after some weeks my body used to adapt to the diet and workout and then their effect (weight loss) started to hit a black hole. My family, especially my mom helped me a lot although she used to be a little worried about my diet. But she used to support me completely. Both my parents are pure vegetarians but they didn’t object when I used to eat non-veg in same house. Now that was big sacrifice our family made for my fitness and weight loss.

Pre workout (optional): a cup of black coffee with two Marie gold biscuits or half apple

Breakfast: 5 egg white, two slices of brown bread or cornflakes

Lunch: one chapatti with bowl of dal

Evening snack: black coffee, four egg whites (in winters)

Dinner: boiled dal or oats or chicken breast (in winters)

Tell us about the happiness or achievements post weight loss

When I see my old pictures it makes me very happy and gives me a sense of self belief. It feels great when my old pair of jeans fits effortlessly. My biggest achievement is that I no longer have to suck in or hide my stomach before getting my picture clicked!

P.S: If you have an inspiring weight loss story and you wish to share it with us, please mail us at: sobiya@healthmeup.com or contact us on Facebook or Twitter.